Moorings Bay residents appeal boat speed zone removal

We have new information about regulating boat speeds in Collier County.

Regulated speed zones in Naples have been a heated controversy for years. A recent ruling did away with them. Now, some residents are furious.

It's all about the signs: slow speed and idle speed.

They have been up in Mooring Bay since the 1990s, but on Friday they no longer apply.

After years of debate, now boaters in Naples want a change.

"They're going to have to start form square one and start over," said Allen Walburn a charter boat captain, "We would like to see the area that need regulation get regulated properly."

The issue dates back to the 1990s. The city put up signs to regulate speed within Naples.

Boaters on Naples Bay argued it in court -- leading a judge to remove all speed zones within the city.

"We were blind sided. We didn't think that we would lose all the speed zones in the whole city, but we did," said Allen Katz with Moorings Bay.

On Friday, dozens of residents met at city hall. They argued that the city appeal the speed zones through FWC – mainly at Moorings Bay.

"If we have wakes in that basin, it will be very dangerous. Not only for boaters, but also for the manatees that do live in Moorings Bay," said Katz.

They claim the bay is too narrow, and speeding boats could harm jet skiers, kayakers and wildlife. Residents want FWC to designate a manatee speed zone. City leaders agree.

"Take Naples Bay, take Wiggins Pass – a lot of those areas already [have] manatee zones. So, we would like to get that same process up in Moorings Bay," said Capt. Roger Jacobson harbor master with the City of Naples.

City council will decide whether or not to move forward with FWC -- leaving boaters and residents hopeful.

"There's a way to do it that can get everybody on the same page. And hopefully, they will come to that resolution and get things done rapid fire," said Walburn.

That decision is expected to be made in the next couple of months.

People who live on Moorings Bay also suggested the city keep decisions separate for each bay so this doesn't happen again.